AYANA Zeitgeist

Translated from German, Zeitgeist means "the spirit of the moment", and is the key principle underpinning AYANA's service philosophy. Here, we share our inside tips and favorite haunts to help you experience the AYANA Zeitgeist.

Hello everyone, I am the Spa Director at AYANA, and for this blog, I’ve chosen some of my favorite dishes from our new Spa Cafe menu. These dishes use organic ingredients wherever possible with a focus on fresh garden vegetables and seafood, and local herbs and flavors. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some healthy indulgence: the desserts are to-die-for, minus the guilt!

Cumin beef wrap Rp140.000++Lemongrass and cashew nut sauce, garden vegetables
Rich in protein while cumin is great source of iron and has anti-carcinogenic propertiesLemongrass energizes mind and spirit

Poached barracuda mille-feuille Rp130.000++Citrus, microgreens, pickled salak and cinnamon sauceRich in protein and iron, strengthens immunity while the salak is high in fiber

Flowerless chocolate cake Rp65.000++Lavender sorbet and lemon caviarSoothes and moistens the throat, chocolate is therapeutic to the stomachLavender is renowned for its ability to induce sleep and relaxation

Visitors have long dreamed of being able to bottle the fragrance of Bali to take home with them. Now you can, by creating your own exclusive perfume at the L’Atelier Parfums & Creations studio at AYANA. This workshop, the only one of its kind in Indonesia, follows traditional French processes for creating perfumes unique to each guest, suited to individual personality types.

There are some 45 different essences, fragrances and raw materials with which to create your own blend. These include the most popular choice, frangipani, as well as lavender, jasmine, citronella, coffee, cempaka, vanilla, clove, wood and even civet, the cat-like creature whose droppings make the world’s most expensive coffee: Kopi Luwak. The children’s range includes fun scents such as bubblegum, strawberry, chocolate, and the added visual excitement of glitter.

The first step in making your own perfume is to answer a short questionnaire which will determine which personality traits you possess: Are you Different/Eccentric, Sensual, Romantic, Vivifying, Dynamic, Mysterious, Exotic, Masculine or Discreet? The results will point towards three of these adjectives (eg. Different/Eccentric, Dynamic and Discreet), which in turn correspond to specific essences.

The on-site perfumer will suggest fragrances matching your survey results and give you three small ‘test’ vials in which to make different blends. As you create the blends, you record the ingredients on ‘formula sheets’. You then select your favorite and the perfumer will present it in a 30mL bottle with a L’Atelier label inside a sleek leather travel case for you to take home with you. Those who complete the Theory and Perfume-Making Workshop will also receive a L’Atelier ‘Diploma’ Certificate.

Workshops are open to guests staying at AYANA as well as those visiting from outside the resort. There are four different workshops to choose from: Perfumery theory and perfume making workshop (2 hours); Perfume making workshop (45 minutes); Couple’s package (45 minutes); Children’s perfume-making Workshop (1 hour).